1. Community Corrections What happens when a prisoner is released?

2. Release from Prison Most inmates will eventually be released from prison. Depending on the jurisdiction and the specific case, inmates may be released from prison in a number of ways: Commutation: reduction of the original sentence given by an executive authority Parole: conditional release of prisoners before they have served their full sentence Mandatory Release: method prison release under which an inmate is released after serving a legally required portion of his or her sentence, minus good time credit

3. Recidivism When inmates are released from correctional institutions, the hope is that as a result of deterrence or rehabilitation, they will not return to criminal activity. Recidivism: return to illegal activity after release from incarceration The most recent national study of recidivism found that 67.5 % of nearly 400,000 former inmates released from prison in 2005 were rearrested for a new offense with 3 years; 75% within 5 years; and 56% within a year Released prisoners with the highest re-arrest rates were motor vehicle thieves and with lowest rates were homicide. Other notable findings were: men were more likely than women blacks were more likely than whites younger were more likely than older There was NO evidence that spending more time in prison raised the recidivism rate. The first year of release is the most critical.

5. Probation Probation: sentence in which the offender, rather than being incarcerated, is retained in the community under the supervision of a probation agency and required to abide by certain rules and conditions to avoid incarceration Straight Probation: occurs when an offender is sentenced only to probation Suspended-Sentence Probation: judge pronounces a prison sentence but suspends the sentence on the condition of probation Split-sentence: short jail time plus probation Shock probation: initially sentenced to jail but is soon recalled to court and placed on probation Residential probation: probationer is placed in structured living environment

6. Parole Parole: method of release whereby inmates are released at the discretion of a board or other authority before having completed their entire sentence Factors when considering parole: 1. seriousness of the current offense 2. history of prior violent behavior 3. prior felony convictions 4. use of a firearm in committing the current offense

7. Other Community Corrections Day Reporting Centers: requires offenders to confer with staff about supervision and treatment matters on a regular basis Day Fines: fines that are based on defendant’s ability to pay Home Confinement: program that requires offenders to remain in their home except for approved periods of absence Electronic Monitoring: allows offenders whereabouts to be gauged through the use of a computer Halfway houses: community-based residential facilities that provide a controlled environment Temporary-Release Programs: allows inmates to leave the facility for short periods to participate in approved activities